complacent

[ kuhm-pley-suhnt ]

adjective

1. pleased, especially with oneself or one's merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self-satisfied:

   The voters are too complacent to change the government.

   Synonyms: untroubled, unbothered, smug

2. agreeable and eager to please.

complacent

/ kəmˈpleɪsənt /

adjective

1. pleased or satisfied, esp extremely self-satisfied
2. an obsolete word for complaisant

Derived Forms

• comˈplacently, adverb

Other Words From

• com·pla·cent·ly adverb
• non·com·pla·cent adjective
• o·ver·com·pla·cent adjective
• un·com·pla·cent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of complacent¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin complacent- (stem of complacēns, present participle of complacēre “to take the fancy of, please,” equivalent to com- “with, together, completely” ( com- ) + placēre “to seem good” ( please )

Word History and Origins

Origin of complacent¹

C17: from Latin complacēns very pleasing, from complacēre to be most agreeable to, from com- (intensive) + placēre to please

Example Sentences

The complacent political sexism of those near to us has been a wounding disappointment.

From Salon

“The concern is if it’s so easy to get a majority, it’s easy to become complacent and not do thoughtful legislating,” said then-Assembly Speaker John Pérez.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s good to see that our pal Dot still has the power to disturb the complacent, all these many years later!” one X user said.

From Los Angeles Times

This includes how their memories might be disordered or fragmented and how responses to questioning may appear emotionless, angry or complacent, but that this should not be exploited.

From BBC

It has proven that the gap between Australia and the rest may not be as big as we once thought - but the game must not become complacent.

From BBC

Related Words

• confident
• happy
• pleased
• satisfied
• self-righteous
• smug